Bag closing machine



P 1964 w. A. KEENE 3,150,477

BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 24. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

INVENTOR. W. A. KEENE A T TORNEVS p 1964 w. A. KEENE 3,150,477

BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1951 5 Sheets- Sheet 3 Inn 62 IIIIII63 1 mmmnmnmmnal D FIG. 30

STATION l INVENTOR.

W. A. KEENE A TTORNEVS p 1954 w. A. KEENE 3,150,477

BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 24. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 STATION 3 g622 STATION 1 O 0 B O Q 0 O O O 0 O O O 0 D O INVENTOR. W. A. KEENE A TTORNE Y5 P 1964 w. A. KEENE 3,150,477

BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 HOV I00 Am 7 r2 I07 (I06 98 l 108 I03 98 f TIMER E 5, y I05 TIMERv 80 lOl IOI' 93 yoTIMER 94 FIG.

57 FIG. .9

INVENTOR.

W. A KEENE FIG. /0 /W w yak A T TORNEYS United States Patent 3,150,477BAG CLOSING MAIJIIDJE William A. Keene, Eartlesville, Okla, assignor toPhillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 24,1961, Ser. No. 105,059 13 Claims. (Cl. 53--370) This invention relatesto a bag closing machine and method. In one aspect this inventionrelates to a machine for closing open mouth bags. In another aspect thisinvention relates to a method for closing open mouth bags.

Many products such as carbon black, fertilizer, cement, lime, grainfeeds, and other granular or powdery materials are packaged in paperbags for delivery to the ultimate consumer. Generally speaking, threetypes of bags are in use, the valve bag, the pasted open mouth bag, andthe sewn open mouth bag. For many products a pasted closure for the openmouth bag is not practical. The valve bag is more costly. So far as ispresently known, no automatic bag filling machines are available forfilling valve type bags. Furthermore, the machines presently availablefor filling valve type bags do not weigh as accurately as do machines orapparatus for filling open mouth bags. For these reasons the open mouthbag is most widely used and recently several companies have developedautomatic bagging equipment for open mouth bags which includes automaticsewing equipment to close the open mouth of the bag by sewing. However,in many instances the automatic sewing equipment has proved troublesomeand impractical resulting in excessive maintenance costs. Furthermore, asewed bag has a tapered end which has a poor appearance and poorwarehousing qualities.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved bag closingmachine for closing open mouth bags. Another objeot of this invention isto provide an improved method for closing open mouth bags. Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a method and a machine forclosing open mouth bags, which method eliminates closing said bag bysewing. Another object of this invention is to provide a method andmachine for closing open mouth bags which eliminates closing said bag bypasting. Still another object of this invention is to provide a bagclosing method and machine for closing open mouth bags which may beentirely automatic in operation, if desired, so that a filled bag can bedelivered to the machine from a bag filling machine and all of theoperations for completing the closing of the bag will be entirelyautomatic. Still another object of this invention is to provide a methodand machine for closing open mouth bags as heretofore characterizedwhich can be operated at high speed, so that closing of the bag can beeffected as rapidly as the filling of the bag, with the result that asingle machine for closing bags may handle all of the filled bagsdelivered by an automatic bag filling machine. Still another object ofthis invention is to provide, when starting with an open mouth bag, aclosed, filled bag which is relatively flat on both the bottom and topand thus possesses a boxlike shape which is more desirable, both forappearance and for handling and stacking purposes. Other aspects,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

In the practice of the invention, there is provided a bag closingmachine which, in a presently preferred embodiment, broadly comprises arotary turntable unit provided with four bag receiving pockets on fourdifferent sides thereof. Said rotary turntable unit is rotated throughfour consecutive stations at which various operations of the method ofthe invention are carried out. Thus, a filled bag is moved in verticalposition to a pocket of said machine occupying a first station. As saidbag is moved into said pocket, the lips of the bag are introducedbetween a pair of open fingers extending horizontally above said pocket.The bag upon entry into said pocket actuates the machine andsimultaneously, the pocket containing said bag is moved from said firststation to a second station, said fingers are closed to engage the lipsof said bag and rotated so as to roll said lips around said fingersdownwardly onto the body of the filled bag, and said filled bag iselevated an amount sufficient to compensate for said downward rolling ofsaid lips. All of said operations occur simultaneously with the movementof the pocket containing said bag from said first station to said secondstation. While at said second station, at least one piece of pressuresensitive adhesive tape is applied across the rolled down lips of thebag. The pocket containing said bag is then moved to a third station atwhich the bag is removed from said fingers and the machine onto aconveyor for transport to storage or other handling.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a bag closing machine in accordancewith the invention and illustrating filled bags in three pockets of themachine stationed at stations I, 2, and 3. Said FIGURE 1 alsoillustrates the relation between the bag closing machine and other bagfilling and handling apparatus.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the bag closing machine of FIGURE 1 withoutthe filled bags in the pockets at the various stations.

FIGURE 3 is a view in elevation of the lower portion of the bag closingmachine of FIGURE 1 when looking at station I of said machine.

FIGURE 3:: is a view in elevation of the top portion of the bag closingmachine of FIGURE 1 when looking at station I thereof and is fragmentaryor diagrammatic in that the drawing has been simplified by omitting thefinger mechanism which normally would be shown as extending over thepockets at stations 2 and 4 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Otherwise, theview in FIGURE 3a corresponds to the upper portion of the machine asviewed in FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4a is a view in elevation of the top portion of the machine ofFIGURE 1 when looking at station 2 and is fragmentary or diagrammatic inthat the drawing has been simplified by omitting the finger mechanismwhich would normally be shown as extending over the pockets at stations2 and 3 as shown in FIGURES l and 2. Otherwise, the view in FIGURE 4acorresponds to the upper portion of the machine as viewed in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 5 is a detail view, partly in section, taken along the line 5-5of FIGURE 4 and illustrates a portion of the mechanism for rotating theframe of the machine.

FIGURE 6 is a detail view, partly in section, illustrating details ofthe means for rotating and closing and opening the fingers which engagethe open lips of the filled bag as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a detail view, partly in section, taken along the line 77 ofFIGURE 2 and illustrates other details of the means for rotating thefingers which engage the lips of the open bag as illustrated in FIGURE1.

FIGURE 8 is a detail view taken along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 2 andillustrates still other details of the means for rotating and closingand opening the fingers which engage the lips of the open bag asillustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 9 and 10 are detail plan views illustrating still other detailsof the means for rotating and closing and opening the fingers whichengage the lips of the open bag as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 11 illustrates one suitable wiring diagram which can be employedin controlling the operation of the bag closing machine of theinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals areemployed to denote like elements in the various drawings, the inventionwill be more fully explained. In the embodiment illustrated in saiddrawings the bag closing machine of the invention comprises a base whichcan be fabricated from any suitable type of structural materials such asthe channel beams illustrated. A vertical support column 11 is centrallydisposed with respect to and is attached at its lower end to said base.A first hub 12 is rotatably mounted around the upper portion of saidcolumn. A second hub 13 is rotatably mounted around the lower portion ofsaid column.

A frame surrounds said column 11 and is comprised of a first ring-likemember 14 in the shape of an octagon surrounding said column 11 at thelevel of and attached to said first hub 12 by means of a plurality ofsupporting spokes 16. A second ring-like member 17 in the shape of anoctagon surrounds said column 11 at the level of and is attached to saidsecond hub 13 by means of a second plurality of supporting spokes 18.Although not essential, said ring-like members 14 and 17 aresubstantially the same diameter. A first, a second, a third, and afourth pair of spaced apart wall members 19-19, 2121', 22-22, and 23-23,respectively, extend horizontally from four diiferent sides of saidsecond ring-like member 17 to form respectively a first, a second, athird, and a fourth bag receiving pocket. In the machine hereillustrated said pockets are spaced equidistantly, i.e., 90, from eachother with respect to the center lines thereof. As explained furtherhereinafter, each of said pockets consecutively occupies a first, asecond, a third, and a fourth station during rotation of said frame.Separate connecting members 24, 26, 27, and 28, respectively, connectadjacent sides of said first and second pockets, adjacent sides of saidsecond and third pockets, adjacent sides of said third and fourthpockets, and adjacent sides of said fourth and first pockets. Separatebrace members 29, 31, 32, and 33 extend between and connect said firstring-like member 14 to said connecting members 24, 26, 27, and 28,respectively.

A bag conveyor assembly is mounted in and forms the bottom of each ofsaid bag receiving pockets. Each of said bag conveyor assembliescomprises a plurality of conveyor rolls 34 rotatably mounted between apair of mounting brackets 36. Each of said mounting brackets is providedwith a tongue 37 extending from the wall of a recess formed at about themidpoint of the bracket. Said tongue 37 co-operates with a grooved boss38 formed on the inner wall of each of said wall members, for example 19and 19. Each of said bag conveyor assemblies is thus slidably mountedfor limited vertical movement between the wall members of one of saidpockets. A circular track 35 is mounted on said base 10 by means of theadjustable bolts shown. It will be noted that said track has a lowerelevation at said first station than at said second, third, and fourthstations. A wheel 40, or other suitable supporting means such as aslide, is mounted in a bracket 45 attached to the bottom of saidmounting brackets 36 on each of said bag conveyor assemblies andsupports each of said bag conveyor assemblies on said track 35.

The bag closing machine illustrated in the drawings is provided withfour bag engaging and closing means, one each of which is positionedabove and extends horizontally over each of said bag receiving pockets.Each of said bag engaging and closing means comprises a main shaft 38rotatably mounted in bearings 39 on said frame (support members 16)above said first hub 12 with the inboard end of said main shaft adjacentsaid support column 11. A collar 41 is fixed to said inboard end of saidmain shaft 38. Said collar 41 is provided with a first flat cam surface42 and a second fiat cam surface 43 (see FIGURE 8) on adjacent sidesthereof. A sprocket wheel 44 is fixed on said main shaft 38 adjacent theoutboard end thereof. First and second spaced apart parallel fingershafts 46 and 47 (see FIGURES 6, 7, and 8) are rotatably mounted Withinsaid main shaft and extend beyond both the inboard and outboard endsthereof. First and second spaced apart parallel polished fingers 48 and49 (see FIGURE 2) are attached respectively to the outboard ends of saidfirst and second finger shafts 46 and 47. A pair of said fingers 48 and49 extends above each one of said pockets and is adapted, as explainedfurther hereinafter, to receive the lips of a filled open mouth bag whensaid bag is moved into the one of said bag receiving pockets which isoccupying station 1.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 8, a first spur gear 51 is mounted onsaid first finger shaft 46 at the inboard end thereof. A second spurgear 52 is mounted on said second finger shaft 47 at the inboard endthereof and is adapted to engage said first spur gear. A cam lug 53 isfixed to the inboard side of said first spur gear 51. A torsion spring54 is mounted around said second finger shaft 47, fixed to said spurgear 52 and said collar 41, and is normally biased to cause said spurgears to rotate said finger shafts 46 and 47 in a direction to causesaid fingers 48 and 49 to be in the closed engaging position as shown inFIGURE 1.

A first slide plate 56 (see FIGURES 2, 4, and 10) is fixed around theperiphery of said column 11 above said first hub 12. Said slide plate 56is provided with a first extension 57 thereon which extends outwardlybetween station 4 and station 1 and is positioned adjacent said station1 so as to engage said first cam surface 42 on said collar 41 just priorto arrival of main shaft 38 in a position above station 1 when saidframe is being rotated and thus prevent rotation of said main shaft 38prior to and while it is at said station 1. Said slide plate 56 is alsoprovided with a second extension 58 thereon which extends substantiallybetween station 2 and station 4 and is adapted to engage said secondfiat cam surface 43 on collar 41 during rotation of the frame aroundsaid column 11 and prevent rotation of said main shaft 38 while it istraveling between station 2 and station 4. A second slide plate 59 (seeFIGURES 4a and 9) is fixed around the periphery of said column 11between said first slide plate 56 and said first hub 12. Said secondslide plate 59 is provided with an actuating lug 61 which extendstherefrom between station 4 and station 1 and is positioned so as toengage said cam lug 53 which is fixed to said spur gear 51, cause saidspur gears 51 and 52 to rotate, and open said fingers 48 and 49 justprior to their arrival in a position above said station 1.

A circular drive plate 62 is fixed on said column 11 above said firstslide plate 56. A first segment of rack gears 63 (see FIGURES 2, 3a and4a) is mounted on the under side of said drive plate 62 adjacent theperiphery thereof between said first and second stations for coactingwith said sprocket wheel 44 to rotate said main shaft 38 and saidfingers 48 and 49 and thus roll the lips of said bag around said fingersas said frame is rotated from said firststation to said second stationas described further heremafter. A second segment of rack gears 64 ismounted on the under side of said drive plate 62 adjacent the peripherythereof between said fourth and said first stations, and is spaced apartfrom said first segment of rack gears, for coacting with said sprocketwheel to rotate said main shaft 38 and said finger shafts 46 and 4'7sufficient to place said fingers 48 and 49 in an open receiving positionjust prior to their arrival at station I. Said rack gears 63 and 64 canbe any type of gear suitable for engaging the teeth of sprocket 44. Oneconvenient type of gear arrangement is a series of individual links ofbicycle type" chain welded to drive plate 62. The size and spacingbetween the links will depend upon the size of sprocket 44.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5, an indexing ring 66 is secured to andsurrounds the lower portion of said second hub 13. In the embodiment ofthe invention here shown, said indexing ring 66 is provided with fourindexing recesses 67 spaced equally apart around the outer circumferencethereof. A shoulder 68 extends from one side of a slip ring 65surrounding but not fixed to said second hub 13 below said indexing ring66. A pawl 69, biased by means of spring 71 to normally engage one sideonly of said recesses so as to move said ring 66 in one direction only,is pivotally mounted on said shoulder 68. A first cylinder 72 is mountedon said base below said frame and adjacent said shoulder 68. A doubleacting fluid operated piston 73 is disposed within said cylinder 72. Apiston rod 74 is connected at one end within said cylinder to saidpiston 73 and at its other end to said shoulder 68 on said indexing ring66. Fluid conduit 76 and 77, connected to air manifold 78 throughsolenoid actuated four-way valve 79, are provided for deliveringactuating air to and from cylinder 72 for actuating said piston 73 so asto rotate said frame by the action of pawl 69 on one side of recesses67. A double acting brake member 81 is provided for engaging both sidesof recesses 67 in indexing ring 66 so as to prevent rotation of theframe in either direction except when desired. Said brake member isactuated by a double acting piston (not shown) in cylinder 82 suitablymounted on said base 10. Said cylinder 82 is supplied with actuating airfrom manifold 78 via solenoid actuated valve 83 and conduit 84simultaneously with the supplying of air to said first cylinder 72.Thus, when air is supplied to said cylinder 72, air is also supplied tocylinder 82 so as to move brake member 81 out of engagement withrecesses 67 and permit rotation of ring 66. Said air manifold 78 isconnected to a source of compressed air, not shown. Solenoid actuatedvalves 79, 83 and 94 have been shown schematically in FIGURE 4 in orderto simplify the drawings. In actual construction said valves are mountedat suitable positions on base 10. The relationship between said valvesand their actuating solenoids and the electrical system of the machineis shown in FIGURE 11.

A second cylinder 86 is mounted on said column 11 above said first hub13 by means of rings 88 attached to said column and mounting plate 87attached to said rings. A double acting fluid operating piston (notshown) is disposed within said cylinder 86. A piston rod 89 is connectedat one end within said cylinder 86 to said piston and at its other endto a vertically disposed push-01f plate 91. Actuating fluid is conductedto and from said cylinder 86 by means of conduits 92 and 93 which areconnected to fluid manifold 78 via solenoid actuated fourway valve 94.The actuating fluid used in cylinders 72 and 86 is preferably air asindicated in FIGURE 4 or can be a hydraulic fluid by making suitablemodifications to the fluid supply system.

An actuating lever 96 comprising an upper and a lower horizontal barconnected by means of a vertical rod is pivotally mounted in one of thewall members of each of the bag receiving pockets. In the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated, the vertical rod portion of said actuatinglever is mounted in the right-hand wall member, for example, wallmembers 19, 21, 22, and 23. Said actuating lever 96 is mounted so thatthe upper horizontal bar thereof normally extends over the top of thebag receiving pocket and the lower horizontal bar extends below said bagreceiving pocket and said frame. Said actuating lever 96 is normallybiased in the position described by means of spring 97 attached to saidlower horizontal bar and mounted as shown. Switches 98, 99, and 101 aremounted on said base 10 at stations 1, 2, and 3, respectively, in aposition such that the lower horizontal bar of actuating lever 96 willstrike the actuating bar of said switches as the frame is rotated.

Referring now to FIGURE 11, there is illustrated one suitable wiring andswitch arrangement which can be employed to control the operation of thebag closing machine of the invention. When said machine is in operation,main switch is closed. When a filled bag enters the bag receiving pocketoccupying station 1, the bag strikes the upper horizontal bar ofactuating lever 96 which causes the lower horizontal bar of saidactuating lever 96 to strike the actuating bar of switch 98. Said switch98 is a commercially available switch of a type commonly referred to asmicro switches and normally makes contact only momentarily. Saidmomentary closing of switch 98 completes a circuit from main lead wire102 through said switch 98, lead wire 103, lead wire 104, and lead wire105 into timer 106.

Said timer 106 is a commercially available mechanism comprising a relay,an electric motor, and a cam. One side of the winding of said motor isconnected into main lead wire 102 by lead wire 107. Said lead wire 105is connected to the relay in timer 106. Said relay is connected to theother main lead wire 109 by means of lead wire 108. Upon actuation ofsaid relay by the closing of switch 98 the motor in timer 106 is startedand the cam, being connected to said motor, is rotated. Said relay keepsthe circuit through lead wire 108 closed during revolution of the cam.At the end of one revolution of said cam a notch on the surface of thecam causes the relay to break the circuit through the lead wire 108 andthe motor stops. During the time the motor is running a circuit is alsocompleted from main lead wire 102 through lead wire 110, lead wire 111,said relay, lead wire 112, sholenoid 79', and lead wire 113 to the othermain lead Wire 109 Said last-mentioned circuit actuates said solenoid79' which switches four-way valve 79 to admit air from air header 78 andconduit 78' to conduit 76 which is connected to cylinder 72 (see FIGURE4) of the rotating mechanism. At this time conduit 77, also connected tosaid cylinder 72, is connected to exhaust through said four-way valve79. The admission of air through conduit 76 to cylinder 72 causes piston73 to move in a direction to eifect one stage of rotation, i.e., 90, ofthe frame of the bag closing machine. When the motor in timer 106 stops,the circuit through solenoid 79' is broken and de-energization of saidsolenoid causes four-way valve 79 to switch to a position to admit airto cylinder 72 via conduit 77. Upon said switching of valve 79, conduit76 is, of course, placed in exhaust position. This reverses the actionof piston 73 and places the rotating mechanism in position for the nextstage of rotation.

Said timer 106 can be any commercially available mechanism suitable foruse in the practice of the invention. The type described generally aboveis a series RA-O timer fitted with a gear rack A-l8, available from theIndustrial Timer Corporation, Newark, New Jersey. Four-way valve 79 is aconventional valve. As will be understood by those skilled in the art,conduit '78 is connected to the body of the valve and when the valve isswitched said conduit 78 is placed in communication with first one andthen the other of the lower ports shown so as to admit air to one or theother of conduits 76 or conduit 77. The one of said lower ports whichsaid conduit 78' is not in communication with serves as an exhaust portfor the one of said conduits 76 and 77 which is not being employed topass air to cylinder 72. When solenoid 79' is not energized, valve 79 isnormally biased to place condiut 76 in exhaust position.

Simultaneous with the completion of the circuit through timer 106 asdescribed above, another circuit is completed through solenoid 83 bymeans of lead wires 114 and 115. Thus, the closing of switch 98 willactuate said solenoid 83' and switch four-way valve 83 to admit air fromair header 78 through said valve 83 to conduit 84 which is connected tocylinder 82. This will actuate the piston in said cylinder 82 causing itto effect the withdrawal of brake member 81 (see FIGURES 4 and 5) fromcontact with recesses 67 in indexing ring 66. Although the actuation ofsolenoid 83' is of short duration, it is of sufficient time to withdrawbrake member 81 from ring 66 because it is only necessary that saidbrake member be withdrawn long enough to initiate rotation of indexingring 66. When once withdrawn, and ring 66 is moved, said brake memberwill ride on the surface between said recesses 67 until it again indexeswith one of said recesses to again be effective as a brake. Whensolenoid S3 is not energized, the valve 83 connected thereto is normallybiased to switch conduit 84 to an exhaust position through the port ofsaid valve which is not in communication with air header 78. At the sametime, conduit 85 is placed in communication with air header 78 and thepiston in cylinder 82 is actuated in a direction to move brake member 81toward indexing ring 66. Valve 83 is a conventional four-way valve.

During rotation of the frame of the bag closing machine, as each bagreceiving pocket containing a filled bag arrives at station 2 the lowerhorizontal bar of actuating lever 96 will strike the actuating bar ofswitch 9%. If it is desired to apply the pressure sensitive tape to thetop of the closed bag automatically, said switch 99 can be employed toeffect actuation of an automatic tape applying machine, not shown. Thussaid switch 5 9, together with its associated timer and associatedcircuits, can be employed to complete a circuit through solenoid 80which will switch four-way valve 30 to admit air from air header 78 tothe taping machine. Said circuit which is completed through switch Q9and its associated timer and associated circuits is completed in exactlythe same manner as described above in connection with switch 98 andtimer 106. Any other suitable mechanism and/ or circuitry can beemployed to actuate the automatic taping machine. If an automatic tapingmachine is not employed, the tape is applied manually as describedelsewhere herein.

At the next stage of rotation, the filled and taped bag arrives atstation 3 where the lower horizontal bar of actuating lever 96 strikesthe actuating bar of switch 101, a circuit is completed through theassociated timer and its associated circuits, solenoid 94, and four-wayvalve 94 is switched to admit air to one of conduits 92 and 93 connectedto cylinder 36. This will actuate the piston in said cylinder 86 andcause kick-off plate 91 to move the bag from the bag pocket at station3. The operation of solenoid 94- and switch 94, responsive to closing ofswitch 101, is exactly the same as that described above for solenoid '79and valve 79.

Switches 98, 99', and 1431 are hand operated switches provided formanual operation of the machine.

In view of the above description it is believed clear that the timers,such as timer 106, can be selected to give any desired timing cyclewithin reasonably broad limits. For example, in one bag closing machinewhich was fabricated in accordance with this invention, the machine wasdesigned to handle fifteen bags per minute. Thus, a filled, unclosed bagenters station 1 every four seconds. The timers 1% are set accordingly.Approximately one second is required to complete each stage of rotation.Thus each bag receiving pocket is stationary at each of the stations 1,2, 3, and 4 for approximately three seconds.

The wiring diagram in FIGURE 11 has been shown schematically in order tosimplify the drawings. In actual construction the switches, timers,solenoids, valves, and associated lead wires are mounted on base 11) insuitable positions.

In the operation and practice of the invention a filled bag is deliveredfrom a bag filling machine (not shown) by means of conveyor 116 intopocket 19-19 located at station 1 of the bag closing machine asillustrated in FIGURE 1. The lips of said bag are guided by means ofrotating V-belts 117 and 118 which operate from a power source not shownand rotate over pulleys 119 and 121, respectively. Said pulleys can besuspended in the position illustrated by any suitable means. Prior tothe entry of the filled bag into the bag receiving pocket 19-19 asstation 1, fingers 48 and 49 are in the open receiving position as shownin FIGURE 2. Said V-belts 117 and 118 guide the lips of the filled bagbetween said fingers 4-8 and 49. The bag upon entering the bag receivingpocket strikes the upper horizontal bar of actuating lever 96 whichcauses the lower horizontal bar of said lever 96 to strike the actuatingbar of switch 98 which completes the circuit as illustrated anddescribed above in connection with FIGURE 11 causing air to be deliveredto cylinder 72. Piston '73 is thereupon actuated, the entire frameassembly is rotated by means of the rotating means illustrated in FIGURE5, and pocket 1- 19 is moved from station 1 to station 2. The operationof the invention will be further described in terms of the movement ofsaid pocket 19-19.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the position of the apparatus just after therotation has been initiated. Prior to the entry of the filled bag intothe bag receiving pocket 19-19, fingers 43 and 49 are held in openposition by cam lug 53 being in contact with extension 61 of slide plate56. At this time main shaft 38 is prevented from rotating due to fiatcam surface 42 on collar 41 bearing against the under side of smallextension 57 on slide plate 56. As rotation of the frame is initiatedsaid flat cam surface 42. clears said extension 57 on slide plate 56 andcam lug 53 clears said extension 61 on slide plate 59 whereupon spring54 causes spur gears 51 and 52 to rotate finger shafts 46 and 47 andcause polished fingers 48 and 49 to close and engage the lips of the bagas shown in FIGURE 1. At the same time sprocket wheel 44 engages rackgears 63 on drive plate 62 (which is fixed to column 11 and remainsstationary) and main shaft 38 is revolved l 4 revolutions with saidpolished fingers 48 and 49 in closed position to roll the lips of thebag around said fingers and downwardly onto the body of the filled bag.Due to the arrangement of the indexing ring 66 and the rotatingmechanism illustrated in FIGURE 5, the frame will be rotated through a90 increment or stage with the pocket 1&1), formerly at station 1,moving to and stopping at station 2. It should be noted that the rollingdown of the top of the bag occurs as said pocket 19-19 is being movedfrom station 1 to station 2. It should also be noted that during themovement of said pocket 19-19 from station 1 to station 2 the bottom ofthe pocket is raised in elevation, due to the change in elevation oftrack 35, an amount sufiicient to compensate for the amount which thelips of the bag are rolled downwardly onto the body of the filled bag.

While said pocket 19-19 containing the filled bag with the rolled downtop is at station 2, one or more, usually two, pieces of pressureadhesive tape are applied vertically across the rolled down portion ofthe bag as shown in FIGURE I. Said pressure adhesive tape can be appliedmanually or it can be applied by means of any suitable automatic tapeapplying machine. Said tape applying machine can be actuated by means ofswitch 99 provided at station 2 expressly for this purpose. It is withinthe scope of the invention to thus actuate any suitable type of automatic tape applying machine which is employed in combination with thebag closing machine of the invention.

At station 2 flat cam surface 43 on collar 41 is in position to engageextension 58 on slide plate 56. The entry of another filled bag into theempty bag pocket 23-23 now at station 1 again activates the rotatingmechanism as previously described and the pocket 19-19 is moved fromstation 2 to station 3. Upon initiation of said second stage orincrement of movement, cam surface 4-3 on collar 41 engages extension 53on slide plate 56 and prevents rotation of main shaft 38 during movementof said pocket 19-19 from station 2 to station 3. The polished fingers43 and 49 thus remain in the rolled down portion of the bag lips.

Upon arrival of the filled and taped bag at station 3, the lowerhorizontal bar of actuating lever 96 strikes the actuating bar of switch101 whereupon a circuit is completed as illustrated in FIGURE 11 toactuate the solenoid operated valve 94 and admit air to cylinder 86. Thepiston in said cylinder 86 then moves push-off plate 91 and pushes thefilled bag off the polished fingers 48 and 49 and onto conveyor 122 (seeFIGURE 1). At this point, the filled bag can, if desired, be pushed overby means of any suitable pushing apparatus, such as ram 123, ontoconveyor 124 and transported to storage or other further handling.

The entry of another filled bag into the empty pocket 22-22 now atstation 1 will activate rotation of the frame as previously describedand the now empty pocket 19-19 at station 3 will be rotated to station4. During movement of the empty pocket 19-19 from station 3 to station 4cam surface 43 on collar 41 remains in contact with extension 58 onslide plate 56 to prevent rotation of main shaft 38 and fingers 48 and49 remain in their closed position. At station 4 said flat cam surface43 on collar 41 disengages extension 58 on slide plate 56.

Upon the entry of another filled bag into the empty pocket 21-21 nowoccupying station 1, the rotating mech anism will be again activated aspreviously described and the empty pocket 19-19 at station 4 will bemoved to station 1. Upon initiation of said last-mentioned stage ofrotation sprocket 44 engages rack gears 64 on drive plate 62 and rotatesthe main shaft 38 A of one revolution. When sprocket 44 clears the endof the segment of rack gears 64, rotation of the main shaft 38, ofcourse, stops. At this time cam lug 53 attached to gear 51 comes incontact with extension 61 on slide plate 59, the biasing action ofspring 54 is overcome, and finger shafts 46 and 47 are rotated through90 to place the polished fingers 48 and 49 in open receiving position asshown in FIGURE 2 upon arrival at station 1. At the same time fiat camsurface 42 on collar 41 engages the small extension 57 on slide plate 56and prevents rotation of main shaft 38. The sprocket 19-19 which wasoriginally at station 1 has now completed the circuit and is again inposition to receive another filled bag and start another revolution ofthe machine as described.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 it will be clear that each of the other bagreceiving pockets 21-21, 22-22,

and 23-23 is provided with a bag engaging and closing v means comprisinga main shaft 38 and a pair of fingers 48 and 49. During the rotation ofthe frame each of said pockets goes through the four stages of movement,consecutively occupies each of the stations 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the sameoperations are carried out at each station as described above for pocket19-19.

The invention is applicable to the closing of any type of flexible bagmade of any flexible material such as paper, cloth, plastic, etc. Theinvention is particularly applicable to the closing of multi-wall openmouth paper bags. However, all types of bags, either single wall ormulti-wall, can be closed according to the invention.

The actual dimensions of a bag closing machine fabricated in accordancewith the invention will depend, to some extent, on the size of thefilled and closed bag to be handled. For example, a machine fabricatedin accordance with the invention for handling filled bags having alength of about 27 inches, a width of about 16 inches, and a thicknessof about 4 inches when closed, had a width as measured through stations2 and 4 (see FIGURE 2) of approximately 5 feet 6 inches and an overallheight of approximately 5 feet (see FIGURES 1 and 3). The fingers 48 and49 were mounted approximately 2 feet 8 inches above the bottom of thebag receiving pocket positioned at station 1 and Were about 2 feet abovethe bottom of the bag receiving pocket at stations 2, 3 and 4. Thisdifference in the elevation of said fingers above the bottom of the bagreceiving pocket is, of course, due to the difference between theelevation of track 35 at station 1 and stations 2, 3, and 4. Refernce toFIGURE 3 clearly shows this difference in elevation of said track 35which causes the bottom of the bag 18 receiving pocket to be elevated.The bag receiving pockets were each about 1 foot 4 inches in length andabout 8 inches in width. Drive plate 62 was approximately 1 foot 9inches in diameter. The remainder of the elements of the machine wereproportionately sized.

The feature of the invention whereby the elevation of track 35 atstation 1 is less than the elevation of said track at the other threestations 2, 3, and 4 affords one of the outstanding advantages of theinvention. Not only does said difference in elevation make it possibleto compensate for the amount of the bag top which is rolled down as thebag is moved from station 1 to station 2, but said difference inelevation also makes it possible to adjust the bag closing machine tohandle different sizes of bags. This is made possible due to the factthat said track 35 is adjustably mounted on base 10, as shown in FIGURE3 for example.

Other advantages of the machine are that it can be operated at anydesired speed within reasonable limits so as to accommodate the bagfilling equipment and different rates of production. This adjustment inrate of operation of the machine can be effected by varying the timecycle of the timers 106 shown in FIGURE 11. The bag closing operationcan be made entirely automatic, if desired, by employing an automatictaping machine in combination with the bag closing machine; or, the tapecan be applied manually if desired. Still another advantage is that thetroublesome sewing equipment formerly widely used for closing open mouthbags is eliminated. The tape employed according to the method of theinvention is less expensive than the thread and tape employed in sewing.

The bag closing method of the invention provides a simple, neat, but yetvery effective closure. The closed bag is substantially square on bothends. The closed bag is thus box-like and is much more adapted forstacking in storage and other handling. Rolling down the top of the bagreduces the volume of the finished container to substantially the volumeof its contents. This firmer, more compact pack presents a moredesirable appearance for sales appeal and can be handled and stored moreefliciently.

Also, while the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated anddescribed above is provided with four bag receiving pockets spacedequidistantly apart on four different sides of the frame of the machine,it is within the scope of the invention to provide a machine which iscomprised of less than four or more than four equidistantly spaced apartbag receiving pockets constructed in accordance with the invention, forexample, a machine having three pockets. In such a machine the emptypocket from station 3 would move into station 1 for receiving a filled,unclosed bag. As another example, a machine provided with six bagreceiving pockets could also be constructed in accordance with theinvention. In such a machine the empty pocket now illustrated at station4 would become station 1 of a second sequence of stations 1, 2, and 3.Such a machine provided with six bag receiving pockets could receivefilled, unclosed bags from two different bag filling machines.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described forillustrative purposes, the invention obviously is not limited thereto.Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the artin view of this disclosure. Such modifications are within the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A bag closing machine comprising: a rotatable frame, means forrotating said frame in stages through a plurality of consecutivestations comprising a first, a second, and a third station; a bagreceiving pocket formed in said frame on one side thereof, said pocketconsecutively occupying said stations during said rotation of saidframe; means, actuated by an open bag moving into said pocket while itis occupying said first station, for actuating said rotating means;means for closing said open bag as said frame is rotated and said pocketcontaining said bag is moved from said first station to said secondstation; means mounted within said frame for pushing said closed bagfrom said pocket when said pocket reaches said third station; and meansat said third station for actuating said bag pushing means when saidpocket arrives at said third station.

2. A bag closing machine comprising: a rotatable frame; means forrotating said frame in stages through a plurality of consecutivestations comprising a first, a second, and a third station; a pluralityof bag receiving pockets formed in said frame, each of said pocketsbeing formed in a different side of said frame and spaced apartequidistantly from each other, and each of said pockets consecutivelyoccupying said stations during said rotation of said frame; bag engagingmeans extending above each of said pockets and adapted to receive thelips of the open mouth of a bag when it is moved into the one of saidpockets occupying said first station; means, actuated by said open bagmoving into the said pocket at said first station, for actuating saidrotating means; means for actuating and causing said engaging means toengage said lips of said bag and roll said lips around said engagingmeans as said pocket containing said bag is rotated from said firststation to said second station, and thereby closing said bag; meansmounted within said frame for pushing said closed bag from said pocketwhen said pocket reaches said third station; and means at said thirdstation for actuating said bag pushing means when said pocket arrives atsaid third station.

3. A bag closing machine comprising: a rotatable frame; means forrotating said frame in stages through consecutive first, second, third,and fourth stations; a bag receiving ocket formed in said frame on oneside thereof, said pocket consecutively occupying said stations duringsaid rotation of said frame; means, actuated by an open bag moving intosaid pocket while it is occupying said first station, for actuating saidrotating means; means for closing said open bag as said frame is rotatedand said pocket containing said bag is moved from said first station tosaid second station; means mounted within said frame for pushing saidclosed bag from said pocket when said pocket reaches said third station;and means at said third station for actuating said bag pushing meanswhen said pocket arrives at said third station.

4. A bag closing machine comprising: a rotatable frame; means forrotating said frame in 90 degree increments through consecutive first,second, third and fourth stations; four bag receiving pockets formed insaid frame on different sides thereof and spaced apart equidistantlyfrom each other, each of said pockets consecutively occupying saidstations during said rotation of said frame; means, actuated by an openbag moving into the pocket occupying said first station, for actuatingsaid rotating means; means for closing said open bag as said frame isrotated and said pocket containing said bag is moved from said firststation to said second station; means mounted within said frame forpushing said closed bag from said pocket when said pocket reaches saidthird station; and means at said third station for actuating said bagpushing means when said pocket arrives at said third station.

5. A bag closing machine comprising: a rotatable frame; means forrotating said frame in 90 degree increments consecutively through afirst, a second, a third, and a fourth station; four bag receivingpockets formed in said frame on four different sides thereof and spacedapart equidistantly from each other, each of said pockets consecutivelyoccupying said stations during said rotation of said frame; four bagengaging means each extending above one of said pockets and adapted toreceive the lips of the open mouth of a bag when it is moved into theone of said pockets occupying said first station; means, actuated bysaid open bag moving into the said pocket occupying said first station,for actuating said rotating means, means for actuating said bag engagingmeans to engage said lips of said bag and roll said lips around saidengaging means and down as said pocket containing said bag is rotatedfrom said first station to said second station, thereby closing saidbag; means for raising the bottom of said pocket containing said bag assaid bag is moved from said first station to said second station so asto compensate for the amount said lips of said bag are rolled down;means mounted within said frame for pushing said closed bag from saidpocket containing same when said pocket reaches said third station; andmeans at said third station, actuated by the arrival of said bagcontaining pocket at said third station, for actuating said bag pushingmeans.

6. A bag closing machine comprising: a rotatable frame mounted on abase; means for rotating said frame in degree increments consecutivelythrough a first, a second, a third, and a fourth station; four bagreceiving pockets formed in said frame on four different sides thereofand spaced apart equidistantly from each other, each of said pocketsconsecutively occupying said stations durng said rotation of said frame;a bag conveyor assembly slidably mounted for limited vertical movementin each of said bag receiving pockets, a circular track mounted belowsaid frame on said base, said track having a lower elevation at saidfirst station than at said second, third and fourth stations; separatemeans attached to each of said bag conveyor assemblies for movablysupporting each said assembly individually on said track during saidrotation of said frame; four bag engaging means each extending above oneof said pockets and adapted to receive the lips of the open mouth of abag when it is moved into the one of said pockets occupying said firststation; means, mounted on a wall member of each of said pockets andactuated by said open bag moving into the said pocket occupying saidfirst station for actuating said rotating means; means for actuatingsaid bag engaging means to engage said lips of said bag and roll samedown as said pocket containing said bag is rotated from said firststation to said second station, thereby closing said bag; means mountedwithin said frame for pushing said closed bag from said pocketcontaining same when said pocket reaches said third station; and means,mounted on said base and actuated by the arrival of said bag containingpocket at said third station, for actuating said bag pushing means.

7. A bag closing machine comprising: a base; a vertical support columncentrally disposed with respect to and attached to said base; a firsthub rotatably mounted around the lower portion of said column; a secondhub rotatably mounted around the upper portion of said column; a framesurrounding said column, said frame being attached at its lower portionto said first hub and attached at its upper portion to said second hub;means for rotating said hubs and said frame around said column in 90degree increments consecutively through a first, a second, a third, anda fourth station; four bag receiving pockets formed in said frame onfour different sides thereof and spaced apart equidistantly from eachother, each of said pockets occupying said first, second, third, andfourth stations consecutively as said frame is rotated; a bag conveyorassembly slidably mounted for limited vertical movement in each of saidbag receiving pockets; a circular track mounted on said base andsurrounding said support column, said track having a lower elevation atsaid first station than at said second, third, and fourth stations;separate means attached to each of said bag conveyor assemblies formovably supporting each said assembly individually on said track duringsaid rotation of said frame; four bag engaging means, each operativelyconnected to said column above said second hub and extending above oneof said pockets, and adapted to receive the lips of the open mouth of abag when it is moved into one of said pockets occupying said firststation; means, mounted on a wall member of each of said pockets andactuated by said open bag moving into the said pocket at said firststation for actuating said rotating means; means for actuating said bagengaging means to engage said lips of said bag and roll same down assaid pocket containing said bag is rotated from said first station tosaid second station, thereby closing said bag; means mounted within saidframe for pushing said closed bag from said pocket containing same whensaid pocket reaches said third station; and means, mounted on said baseand actuated by the arrival of said bag containing pocket at said thirdstation, for actuating said bag pushing means.

8. A bag closing machine comprising, in combination: a base; a verticalsupport column centrally disposed with respect to and attached to saidbase; a first hub rotatably mounted around the lower portion of saidcolumn; a second hub rotatably mounted around the upper portion of saidcolumn; a frame surrounding said column, said frame being attached atits lower portion to said first hub and attached at its upper portion tosaid second hub; means for rotating said hubs and said frame around saidcolumn in 90 degree increments consecutively through a first, a second,a third, and a fourth station; a first, a second, a third, and a fourthbag receiving pocket formed in said frame on four different sidesthereof and spaced apart equidistantly from each other, each of saidpockets occupying said first, second, third, and fourth stationsconsecutively as said frame is rotated; a bag conveyor as semblyslidably mounted for limited vertical movement in each of said bagreceiving pockets; a circular track mounted on said base and surroundingsaid support column, said track having a lower elevation at said firststation than at said second, third, and fourth stations; separate meansattached to each of said bag conveyor assemblies for movably supportingeach said assembly individually on said track during said rotation ofsaid frame; four bag engaging means, each operatively connected to saidcolumn above said second hub and extending above one of said pockets,and adapted to receive the lips of the open mouth of a bag when it ismoved into the one of said pockets occupying said first station; means,mounted on a wall member of each of said pockets and actuated by saidopen bag moving into said pocket at said first station for actuatingsaid rotating means; means for actuating said bag engaging means toengage said lips of said bag and roll same down as said pocket isrotated from said first station to said second station, thereby closingsaid bag; means at said second station for actuating a tape applyingmachine for applying tape across the rolled down top of said bag; meansmounted on said column within said frame for pushing said bag from saidpocket when said pocket reaches said third station; and means, mountedon said base and actuated by the arrival of said bag containing pocketat said third station, for actuating said bag pushing means.

9. A bag closing machine, adapted for operation inde pendent ofpreceding bag filling and succeeding bag handling means, said machinecomprising: a rotatable frame mounted on a base; four bag receivingpockets formed in said frame on four different sides thereof; means forrotating said frame in 90 degree increments, each of said pocketsconsecutively occupying a first, a second, a third, and a fourth stationduring said rotation; means, actuated by an open bag moving into the oneof said pockets occupying said first station, for actuating said framerotating means to move said bag containing pocket from said firststation to said second station; means, operable simultaneously with themovement of said pocket from said first station to said second station,for closing said open bag; means mounted within said frame for pushingsaid closed bag from said pocket containing same when said pocketreaches said third station; and means, mounted on said base and actuatedby ii the arrival of said bag containing pocket at said third station,for actuating said bag pushing means.

10. A bag closing machine, adapted for operation independent ofpreceding bag filling and succeeding bag handling means, said machinecomprising: a rotatable frame; four bag receiving pockets formed in saidframe on four different sides thereof and spaced apart equidis tantlyfrom each other; means for rotating said frame in degree increments,each of said pocket consecutively occupying a first, a second, a third,and a fourth station during said rotation; four bag engaging means eachextending above one of said pockets and adapted to receive the lips ofthe open mouth of a bag when it is moved into the one of said pocketsoccupying said first station; means, actuated by an open bag moving intothe said pocket occupying said first station, for actuating saidrotating means to (a) rotate said frame and move said pocket containingsaid bag from said first station to said second station and (b) causesaid engaging means to engage the lips of said bag and roll said lipsaround said engaging means simultaneously with the movement of said bagcontaining pocket from said first station to said second station, andthereby close said bag; means mounted within said frame for pushing saidclosed bag from said pocket containing same when said pocket reachessaid third station; and means at said third station, actuated by thearrival of said bag containing pocket at said third station, foractuating said bag pushing means.

11. A bag closing machine, adapted for operation independent ofpreceding bag filling and succeeding bag handling means, said machinecomprising: a rotatable frame mounted on a base; first, second, third,and fourth bag receiving pockets formed in said frame on four differentsides thereof and spaced apart equidistantly from each other, each ofsaid pockets consecutively occupying a first, a second, a third, and afourth station during rotation of said frame; means for rotating saidframe in 90 degree increments; means, actuated by a filled open bagmoving into one of said pockets While it is at said first station foractuating said rotating means to cause said frame to rotate and movesaid bag containing pocket from said first station to said secondstation, move the one of said pockets formerly occupying said secondstation to said third station, move the one of said pockets formerlyoccupying said third station to said fourth station, and move the one ofsaid pockets formerly occupying said fourth station to said firststation; means, operable simultaneously with the rotation of said bagcontaining pocket from said first station to said second station, forclosing said open bag; a bag pushing means, mounted within said frame,for pushing a closed filled bag from the one of said pockets occupyingsaid third station; and means at said third station for actuating saidbag pushing means when one of said pockets containing a closed filledbag arrives from said second station and occupies said third station.

12. A bag closing machine, adapted for operation independent ofpreceding bag filling and succeeding bag handling means, said machinecomprising: a rotatable frame mounted on a base; first, second, third,and fourth bag receiving pockets formed in said frame on four differentsides thereof and spaced apart equidistantly from each other, each ofsaid pockets consecutively occupying a first, a second, a third, and afourth station during said rotation of said frame; main actuating meansmounted on said base at said first station for actuating said rotatingmeans; first actuating means carried by a wall member of each of saidpockets and actuated by a filled open bag moving into one of saidpockets while it is at said first station for actuating said mainactuating means to cause said frame to rotate and move said bagcontaining pocket from said first station to said second station, movethe one of said pockets formerly occupying said second station to saidthird station, move the one of said pockets formerly occupying saidthird station to said fourth station, and move the one of said pocketsformerly occupying said fourth station to said first station; means,operable simultaneously with the rotation of said bag containing pocketfrom said first station to said second station, for closing said openbag; means mounted on said base at said second station and actuated bysaid first actuating means for actuating a tape applying machine forapplying tape across the top of said closed bag; bag pushing means,mounted within said frame, for pushing a closed filled bag from the oneof said pockets occupying said third station; and means mounted on saidbase at said third station and actuated by said first actuating meansfor actuating said bag pushing means when one of said pockets containinga closed filled bag arrives from said second station and occupies saidthird station.

13. A bag closing machine comprising, in combination: a base; a verticalsupport column centrally disposed with respect to and attached to saidbase; a first hub rotatably mounted around the lower portion of saidcolumn; a second hub rotatably mounted around the upper portion of saidcolumn; a frame surrounding said column, said frame being attached atits lower portion to said first hub and attached at its upper portion tosaid second hub; means for rotating said hubs and said frame around saidcolumn in 90 degree increments consecutively through a first, a second,a third, and a fourth station; a first, a second, a third, and a fourthbag receiving pocket formed in said frame on four different sidesthereof and spaced apart equidistantly from each other, each of saidpockets occupying said first, second, third, and fourth stationsconsecutively as said frame is rotated; a bag conveyor assembly slidablymounted for limited vertical movement in each of said bag receivingpockets; a circular track mounted on said base and surrounding saidsupport column, said track having a lower elevation at said firststation than at said second, third, and fourth stations; separate meansattached to each of said bag conveyor assemblies for movably supportingeach said assembly individually on said track during said rotation ofsaid frame; four bag engaging means, each operatively connected to saidcolumn above said second hub and extending above one of said pockets,and adapted to receive the lips of the open mouth of a bag when it ismoved into the one of said pockets occupying said first station; meansfor actuating said rotating means when said open bag is moved into saidpocket at said first station, means for actuating said bag engagingmeans to engage said lips of said bag and roll same down as said pocketis rotated from said first station to said second station, and therebyclosing said bag; means at said second station for actuating a tapeapplying machine for applying tape across the rolled down top of saidbag; means mounted on said column within said frame for pushing said bagfrom said pocket when said pocket reaches said third station; and means,mounted on said base and actuated by the arrival of said bag containingpocket at said third station, for actuating said bag pushing means; eachof said bag engaging means and said means for actuating said bagengaging means comprising: a main shaft rotatably mounted on said frameabove said second hub with its inboard end adjacent said column;

a collar fixed to said inboard end of said main shaft, said collar beingprovided with first and second flat cam surfaces on adjacent sidesthereof; a sprocket wheel fixed on said main shaft adjacent the outboardend thereof; first and second spaced apart parallel finger shaftsrotatably mounted within said main shaft; first and second spaced apartparallel fingers attached respectively to the outboard ends of saidfirst and second finger shafts, said fingers extending above one of saidpockets and adapted to receive the lips of said open bag when it ismoved into the one of said pockets occupying said first station; a firstspur gear mounted on the inboard end of said first finger shaft; asecond spur gear mounted on said second finger shaft at the inboard endthereof and adapted to engage said first spur gear; a cam lug mounted onthe inboard side of said second spur gear; a torsion spring mountedaround said first finger shaft and normally biased to cause said spurgears to rotate said fingers to open receiving position; a first annularplate fixed around the periphery of said column above said second hub,said plate being rovided with a first extension thereon between saidstation four and said station one and positioned adjacent said stationone so as to engage said first cam surface on said collar on said mainshaft just prior to the arrival of said main shaft at said station oneduring the rotation of said frame and prevent rotation of said mainshaft prior to and while it is above said station one, said plate alsobeing provided with a second extension thereon between said station twoand said station four and adapted to engage said second cam surface onsaid collar on said main shaft while said frame is being rotated aroundsaid column between said station two and said station four and preventrotation of said main shaft; a second annular plate fixed around theperiphery of said column between said first plate and said second hub,said second plate being provided with an actuating lug extendingtherefrom between said station four and said station one and positionedso as to engage said cam lug on said second finger shaft, cause saidspur gears to rotate said finger shafts and open said fingers just priorto their arrival in a position above said station one; a circular driveplate fixed on said column above said first plate; a first segment ofrack gears mounted on the underside of said drive plate adjacent theperiphery thereof between said first and second stations for coactingwith said sprocket wheel to rotate said main shaft and said fingers androll the lips of said bag around said fingers during rotation of saidframe and said pocket from said first station to said second station;and a second segment of rack gears mounted on the underside of saiddrive plate adjacent the periphery thereof between said fourth and firststations, and spaced apart from said first segment of rack gears, forcoacting with said sprocket wheel to rotate said main shaft and saidfingers suflicient to place said fingers in opening and receivingposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A BAG CLOSING MACHINE COMPRISING: A ROTATABLE FRAME, MEANS FORROTATING SAID FRAME IN STAGES THROUGH A PLURALITY OF CONSECUTIVESTATIONS COMPRISING A FIRST, A SECOND, AND A THIRD STATION; A BAGRECEIVING POCKET FORMED IN SAID FRAME ON ONE SIDE THEREOF, SAID POCKETCONSECUTIVELY OCCUPYING SAID STATIONS DURING SAID ROTATION OF SAIDFRAME; MEANS, ACTUATED BY AN OPEN BAG MOVING INTO SAID POCKET WHILE ITIS OCCUPYING SAID FIRST STATION, FOR ACTUATING SAID ROTATING MEANS;MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID OPEN BAG AS SAID FRAME IS ROTATED AND SAID POCKETCONTAINING SAID BAG IS MOVED FROM SAID FIRST STATION TO SAID SECONDSTATION; MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID FRAME FOR PUSHING SAID CLOSED BAGFROM SAID POCKET WHEN SAID POCKET REACHES SAID THIRD STATION; AND MEANSAT SAID THIRD STATION FOR ACTUATING SAID BAG PUSHING MEANS WHEN SAIDPOCKET ARRIVES AT SAID THIRD STATION.